Christmas Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are one of my all-time favorite cookies to make at this time of the year. They're so soft and delicious, it's hard to just eat one!

This recipe has been altered from the original recipe to include 1/2 cup of canola oil, in place of one of the sticks of butter. Also, I added an additional 1/2 cup of all purpose flour as well. This recipe has been so enjoyable to so many of my friends and family this holiday season. 

I served them with and without the sugar topping. I also allowed the kids to spread frosting on top and add sprinkles...such a fun way to enjoy these cookies.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 stick of butter, softened
• 1/2 cup of canola or vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
• 2 eggs @ room temperature
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup of red and/or green sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 375° degrees.

Lightly grease a cookie sheet and set aside. (I line my cookie sheet with parchment paper in place of cooking oil spray).

In a small bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Set aside.

In a large bowl, add the butter, canola oil, and sugar. Using a hand blender, mix  the butter, canola oil, and sugar until smooth and creamy.

Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until well blended.

Add the flour mixture and, using a spoon, stir until the flour mixture is well blended.

Add the cookie dough to the prepared cookie sheet by measuring 1 tablespoon of the dough and placing each tablespoon 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet. Sprinkle each cookie with a small amount of the red or green sugar.

Bake for 10 - 12 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown.

Remove the cookies from the oven and cool for five minutes and transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to finish cooling.

Enjoy!

Makes 36 cookies

Note: if you prepare this recipe please feel free to post a picture on my Facebook page! Thanks. https://www.facebook.com/Rolisweets

©Rolisweets

Banana bread

I like to enjoy banana bread with a hot cup of tea. Mm-mm, want some?

This is one of my favorites and I've been cooking it for years. I usually make banana bread when I have an abundance of bananas. 

Ingredients
2 cups of all purpose flour
2 tsp of baking powder
1 cup of packed brown sugar
1 stick of butter, softened
1 egg
1 tsp of vanilla extract
3 large ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 cup of milk
1 cup of chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts
cooking oil spray

Directions
Preheat oven to 325° degrees.

Grease a 9" x 5" loaf pan with nonstick cooking oil spray and set aside. In a small bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder and set aside.

In a large bowl, add the butter and packed brown sugar and mix with a hand blender until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the mixture and mix until well blended. Add the mashed bananas and mix until well blended. Stir in the milk and mix until combined.

Add the flour mixture and stir until well blended. Add the nuts and combine all ingredients together.

Add the mixture to the prepared loaf pan and place it in the oven.

Bake for one hour and fifteen minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes our clean.

Cool and serve! Enjoy!

Note: if you prepare this recipe please feel free to post a picture on my Facebook page! Thanks. 

https://www.facebook.com/Rolisweets

©Rolisweets

Cranberry Orange Smoothie

I'm trying a new smoothie today! It's a combination of cranberries and oranges. I wasn't sure I'd like the two flavors blended together, however, it turned out to be a most enjoyable treat.

The juice from the mandarin oranges should serve as enough liquid to blend the smoothie.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of fresh cranberries
• 1 (15) oz can of mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 large banana, ripe is best
• 2 cups of almond milk (frozen in an ice tray)

Directions
Add all ingredients in a blender and mix until all ingredients are well blended together. Enjoy as an afternoon snack or as a dessert. 

Makes four 8-oz servings.

©Rolisweets